"Rhymes with Evil" Scares Up a Good Time
By: Trish Vignola Oct. 10, 2009
The Infusion Theatre Company, in association with the Chicago DCA Theater, presents the Midwest premiere of Charles R. Traeger's Rhymes with Evil. Directed by Infusion Artistic Director Mitch Golob, this production runs at the Storefront Theater on Randolph now through November 8th. Rhymes with Evil features Caroline Heffernan as the young Jenny Kane, Andy Luther as her father Lathan and Victoria Gilbert as her mother Sara. The cast is rounded out by Andy Baldeschwiler as Jim and Cynthia Castiglione as Agnes.
Kudos to homegrown playwright Charles R. Traeger, who through a menagerie of creepy puppets brings to life the story of Lathan Kane, a Willy Wonka-esque stay-at-home father. From the confines of their secluded Midwest farmhouse, Lathan and his "family" of puppets create a fanciful world for his daughter, Jenny. However, like "Pan's Labyrinth", underneath the most beautiful lie some extremely ugly secrets. By the end of Act I, the world of the Kane family has been turned upside and nothing is as it seems.
A special mention should be give to Director Mitch Golob and his work with the young Caroline Heffernan. Rhymes with Evil is not a show for young audiences. Golob did a wonderful job creating a safe environment for Heffernan to give Jenny a gravitas and weight of an actress far beyond her years. Heffernan was a pleasure to watch and should have a bright career ahead of her.
I can't stress enough that if you are looking for something for the kids to do this Halloween, this is not the show for you. There are no slashers or ax-murderers; however, Rhymes with Evil is a scary Hitchcockian good time. This Halloween, if you are looking for an original suspenseful evening, then this is the production to check out. www.infusiontheatre.com www.dcatheater.org
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